Plant Flower Bulbs Now Before the First Frost

Now is the best time to plant fall flower bulbs for bold color in your garden in spring. For smaller spaces, consider planting flower bulbs in containers where they can be clustered together for an eye-popping display.

Flower bulbs are incredibly easy to grow and most will flower for years with little attention. Planting fall bulbs is like giving yourself a present that you can’t open until spring. When flower bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and peonies begin to bloom between March and May, you’ll see it was worth the wait.

Plant lots of the same types or colors of flower bulbs, or go crazy and mix things up with a rainbow of colors for a fun, spring flower garden.

When you plant flower bulbs in the fall they have a chance to set roots in warmer soil before frost sets in and the ground freezes. See our tips below for more.

Because flower bulbs grow easily in well-drained soil, you can plant them most anywhere in sun to part-shade.

When selecting flowering bulbs (such as crocus pictured above), pick those that feel firm, not dry or spongy in the package. Avoid any with signs of mold.

Buy bulbs that bloom early, mid- and late spring to increase total bloom time. Buy more than you think you need for maximum impact. Place bulbs in a cool location until it’s time to plant.

Daffodils, muscari, snowdrops, crocus and peonies (sold as bare root tubers), come back year after year.

Hyacinth, with its glossy leaves and colorful, bell-shaped flowers, bring a fragrant perfume in your garden.

How to Plant Flower Bulbs:

Pick the best location. Most spring-flowering bulbs need full sun in colder climates, and light shade in hotter areas. Under trees, in a lawn or a perennial bed – someplace where they won’t be accidentally dug up – is best. Try layering bulbs in containers, too. These work well on a balcony or front steps, deck or porch.

Plant with ease. Using a bulb planter or spade, dig down and plant your flower bulbs in well-drained soil to the depth indicated on the package.